I was supposed to go walking, but I was running late.  It was hot.  Very hot.  Yet, I longed for the trails.  Not so much for the exercise, but for the time alone with God.  I call them #faithwalks, and I am realizing more and more….it’s here where I’m quiet enough to listen.  It’s here where my mind is not distracted.  I’m in my own world on the trails.  Bikes fly by, squirrels cross the path, runners pant, and I am lost in an act of worship.
It was just me and my earphones singing loud praise from Jesus Culture radio.  The sun was shining through the trees and there were webs everywhere.  All different sizes, all different designs, but when the light hit them just right, I could see them.

These webs.

All different.

Intricate.

Delicate.

Hidden.

Traps.

I was halfway through the walk and my mind was racing, and then I arrived at the tunnel.  I didn’t see anyone around, and “Set a Fire” down in my soul started playing and I got lost in the moment.  The wind blew a breeze that sent leaves swirling everywhere.  I had my arms up, singing aloud, and maybe I twirled around.

There’s no place I would rather be, than here in your love.

Set a fire down in my soul that I can’t contain that I can’t control.

I want more of you God.  I want more of you God.

{Set a Fire by Jesus Culture}

Somewhere in that worship dance, I opened my eyes and saw the lady with the double stroller pass by, so I continued on smiling and thinking how much did she hear and see???  Bless her!!!
The air was much cooler in this magnificent breeze and the leaves danced before my eyes.

Spirit of the Living God come fall afresh on me

Come wake me from my sleep

Blow through the caverns of my soul

Pour in me to overflow,

to overflow.

{Fall Afresh by Jeremy Riddle}

I tried to capture this moment – of trees bending, cool air blowing, leaves swirling in the sticky heat.

Fresh air.  Come in.  Blow through my soul.  Clean out those webs.

 
I whispered a prayer, “God blow into every corner.  Show me where I struggle.  Shine your light on my webs.  Lord, help me to see, and help me to obey you.”
Right as I am about to greet my kids at the soccer fields, one last song brings it home.  It was incredible, and the sun was shining bright.

Your grace abounds in deepest waters

Your sovereign hand

Will be my guide

Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me

You’ve never failed and You won’t start now

{Oceans by Hillsong}

The prayer I whispered was sincere.  And God is faithful.  Christine Caine spoke of the darkroom and the woodshed at the She Speaks conference.  I feel like I have landed in both.  He is loving.  He is gentle.  He is kind.  HE IS LOVE.

He is teaching me about me with love.   This isn’t about others, or even what others can see in me.  This is about me, my planks, my hidden webs, my traps, and the ways my feet fail.

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander

And my faith will be made stronger

In the presence of my Savior.

{Oceans by Hillsong}

Lord, I am willing.  Find me faithful.

Soak me in your laundry and I’ll come out clean,
    scrub me and I’ll have a snow-white life.
Tune me in to foot-tapping songs,
    set these once-broken bones to dancing.
Don’t look too close for blemishes,
    give me a clean bill of health.
God, make a fresh start in me,
    shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.
Don’t throw me out with the trash,
    or fail to breathe holiness in me.
Bring me back from gray exile,
    put a fresh wind in my sails!
Give me a job teaching rebels your ways
    so the lost can find their way home.
Commute my death sentence, God, my salvation God,
    and I’ll sing anthems to your life-giving ways.
Unbutton my lips, dear God;
    I’ll let loose with your praise.

Psalm 51:7-15 MSG